Olivier dacourt is refusing to give up on his World Cup dream - and the Frenchman hopes a rousing end to the season will help his cause.

While Leeds have failed to find their best form this campaign, Dacourt has arguably been one of their more consistent performers.

Dacourt faces Blackburn at Elland Road today knowing his last encounter with Graeme Souness' side at the start of December led to almost two months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery to repair a dislocated shoulder.

AND with just nine matches of the season remaining, Dacourt knows his chances of being picked by France coach Roger Lemerre for this summer's World Cup are slim - especially with the likes of Zidane, Makelele, Vieira and France's player of the year, Eric Carriere, ahead of him.

DACOURT clearly has his work cut out, but knows if he is playing in a Leeds team which can build on the win against Ipswich and claim a Champions League place for next season, then he could yet be on the plane to the Far East.

"YES, I would like to play in the World Cup but that depends on the form of Leeds United," said Dacourt.

"I WANT to go to Japan and I feel that I have a big chance of going but we need to be playing well at Leeds first and that is all I am concentrating on.

"IF you play well then everybody has a chance to go to the World Cup. You never know. It is in my hands now and it would be good to go there, but I have to play well and Leeds have to do well."